[img_r]http://cmsimg.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20080917&Category=PKR01&ArtNo=80917200&Ref=AR&Profile=1058&MaxW=318&Border=0[/img_r]Scott Wells still needs to get through two more days of practice without any setbacks but if he does, theres a good chance the Green Bay Packers will have their starting center back for Sunday nights game against the

Wells returned to practice on Wednesday. He had been out since he aggravated his lower back injury in the Aug. 16 preseason game at San Francisco.

His return could be a boost to an offensive line that had protection problems last season against the Cowboys, who recorded three sacks and nine total hits on Packers quarterbacks Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers in the Nov. 29 game at Texas Stadium.

Its good timing injury-wise because Scotty looks like hes going to come back this week, which definitely helps our line out, Rodgers said. Thats an improvement for us and helps us out.

That said, protection has not been a major concern the first two weeks of this season. Rodgers has been sacked only once in two games.

Really, the sack is more on me because I held the ball too long, Rodgers said.

Having an experienced center like Wells, who became the primary starter in 2005, could help against the Cowboys because they play a 3-4 defense a front the Packers do not often face. Playing against that kind of defense often requires the center and quarterback to make more calls and adjustments at the line of scrimmage.

When youre facing a 3-4, its all about communication, Rodgers said. They want to single your guys up in one-on-one matchups, and were trusting those guys to win. Ive got a lot of confidence in those guys.

Officially, Wells was listed as a limited participant in practice. If he does return to the starting lineup, its unclear how the other interior line positions would be affected. Jason Spitz, a regular starter at guard, has been filling in at center, while the guard spots have been occupied by Daryn Colledge (left guard) and Tony Moll (right guard).

Also, rookie guard Josh Sitton returned to practice on a limited basis for the first time since he injured a knee in the Aug. 22 preseason game at Denver. Sitton had been the No. 1 right guard until his injury.

I would say Scott is ahead of Josh as far as being ready, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. I didnt watch them specifically, but Scott went through the flow of practice at a good pace.

The Packers practiced in full pads on Wednesday and will do so again on Thursday.

We want to see Scott do as much as we can, McCarthy said. Its just a matter if he can go through both practices.

Other injuries[ul]In addition to safety Atari Bigby (hamstring), who is not expected to play against the Cowboys, others who did not practice Wednesday were fullback Korey Hall (knee), tight end Tory Humphrey (knee) and cornerback Charles Woodson (toe).

Hall and Humphrey wont practice before Friday. Woodson may not practice all week but is expected to play.

Running back Ryan Grant (hamstring) was limited, but McCarthy said he was further along than he was last week. Also limited was left tackle Chad Clifton (knees).

Defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee) and receiver Ruvell Martin (finger) were full participants.[/ul]

Familiar faces[ul]Not only did the Packers play the Cowboys last November, but the Packers' coaching staff spent a week working with several Cowboys players last February in Hawaii.

McCarthy and his staff coached the NFC Pro Bowl team, which included a league-record 13 players from Dallas roster. McCarthy joked that half our team was the Dallas Cowboys.

Theyre very good players; they were a bunch of good guys to be around, too, McCarthy said when asked what advantage could be gained from coaching them.

You can see why they are successful. I thought as a whole they were all professional. They were very easy to work with, very talented. I think that question is more on a specific, individual matter, but hopefully we can take advantage of that Sunday night.[/ul]Odds and ends[ul]Former Packers linebacker Abdul Hodge signed a practice-squad contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Hodge was cut by the Packers on Sept. 1.[/ul]

we wouldn't be juggling the offensive line. we'd be returning to normal. the first two weeks have been with a juggled line. the change would mean that we get our normal center back and our normal guard gets to return to playing guard. bring wells back.

we wouldn't be juggling the offensive line. we'd be returning to normal. the first two weeks have been with a juggled line. the change would mean that we get our normal center back and our normal guard gets to return to playing guard. bring wells back.

You call it change, I call it juggling, it's a matter of semantics.I just don't think it's prudent with Wells being rusty.

Eh, I disagree. You NEED communication against a 3-4 defense and Wells is the brains behind that line.

Normally I would agree.. but at times Wells appears to be part of the communication issues along the line..

The Railbird site questioned if we have one of the best lines in the NFL.. I think it is not even close that we are far from the best. Maybe on the the best tackle combos out there.. but our interior line has been inconsistent from 05 on... right up to the end of the preseason..

So with two decent weeks under the belts do we tinker with that lineup, even though at times Moll looks like a fullback cause he is knocked so far off the LOS?

Tough call in my opinion with a very aggressive front coming into town.

we wouldn't be juggling the offensive line. we'd be returning to normal. the first two weeks have been with a juggled line. the change would mean that we get our normal center back and our normal guard gets to return to playing guard. bring wells back.

You call it change, I call it juggling, it's a matter of semantics.I just don't think it's prudent with Wells being rusty.

Really, the sack is more on me because I held the ball too long, Rodgers said.

So modest. But no, it wasn't. It was on the OL. Rodgers was getting the ball off pretty fast all game. That sack was about 3 seconds, which the OL should be giving Rodgers.

The Cows' OL gives Romo about five to six seconds, sometimes more. What's really sick is I've seen him comfortable in the pocket for a full six seconds before he makes a move. Rodgers has to move after about three and definitely by four seconds.

God I hope we get to Romo. I'm sick of that guy getting all these accolades when it's really the OL that makes him good. Put ANY QB with that OL, that TE, and TO as your primary WR and he'll look good.

Oh, good to see Wells almost back. He'll really make a difference if he does play.

Eh, I disagree. You NEED communication against a 3-4 defense and Wells is the brains behind that line.

Normally I would agree.. but at times Wells appears to be part of the communication issues along the line..

The Railbird site questioned if we have one of the best lines in the NFL.. I think it is not even close that we are far from the best. Maybe on the the best tackle combos out there.. but our interior line has been inconsistent from 05 on... right up to the end of the preseason..

I think Spitz gets lumped into the "reworked offensive line" arguments while he has actually improved very nicely over the past few years. Colledge has too many minus plays (in Mike McCarthy speak) and Moll scares me in there. Then we have Clifton not being as fast as he used to be and missing some run blocking assignments. Overall, with Wells in there, I think we are getting there though.

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